Avalanche.report

Wednesday 20.01.2021

Published19 01 2021, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer


Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

As a consequence of a sometimes storm force southwesterly wind, extensive wind slabs will form in all aspects. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases, this also applies in areas close to the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold

The sometimes storm force wind will transport the snow. The old snowpack is faceted. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of a sometimes storm force southwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, as well as on steep shady slopes below the tree line. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of the southwesterly wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. In isolated cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack, in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of mild temperatures the snowpack will settle.

Tendency

Slight decrease in avalanche danger.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer


A critical avalanche situation will prevail.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects above the tree line, especially at their margins. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. In the north and at elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater.
Gliding avalanches are possible.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form. The brittle wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and field observations confirm poor snowpack stability.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Some snow will fall on Thursday.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can in some cases be released easily. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase at high altitude and in the high Alpine regions.
In particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach large size in some cases. This applies in particular above the tree line.
At low and intermediate altitudes individual gliding avalanches are possible. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Restraint is recommended.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, sometimes easily released wind slabs will form. The brittle wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects. Various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Some snow will fall on Thursday.